Bali Green and Clean Campaign Launch

Indonesian Environment Minister Calls for Trash Control in Bali as Major Step in Making Bali ‘Clean and Green’

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(7/2/2011)

Gusti Muhammad Hatta, the Minister of the Environment, has voiced his full support to a program of the provincial government’s “Bali Clean and Green” – especially in the control of trash in Bali.

According to the State News Agency Antara, the Minister, who spoke at a press conference launching "Bali Clean and Green - Stakeholder for Solutions Forum" at the Harris Resort Kuta on Friday, July 1, 2011, said: “The Ministry of the Environment completely supports the government of Bali’s program, particularly as it applies to the perpetual problem of trash. It is for this reason that I have come to Bali.”

The Ministry has formulated trash control policies and is working to educate the public on the need to reduce waste and handle trash correctly.

Governor Pastika said he hope that community leaders would not merely make a show of their desire to make Bali clean and green, but take concrete steps to save Bali’s environment. “I hope this movement will be the first giant step. We don’t need to debate; let’s get to the core of the issue,” said Pastika.

The governor called on the public to reduce the use of plastics, by reducing their use of plastic bags by one piece per day, and by demonstrating their commitment to cleanliness by throwing trash in the correct place.

Said the governor: “Reducing the use of plastic by one piece per day can be very meaningful. We have to force people to stop making the use of plastic a part of their lives. If we force them now, later it will become a habit.”

The governor said a provincial law on trash has been written and is awaiting ratification by the provincial House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali) and final implementation.

The Bali Clean and Green Multi-Stakeholder Group is an alliance comprised of non-government organizations, local communities, and businesses. The groups are supported by the chief of Bali Environmental Agency (BLH-Bali), A.A.G.A. Sastrawan.